Ryan Named Top Senior Male Athlete at Ward Melville

He was named Ward Melville's outstanding senior male athlete this year, but a little over a year ago, Jimmy Ryan's shot at that honor was rather dim.

On the first day of lacrosse practice last year, Ryan broke a vertebra in his spine. The recovery time was estimated at about six months – in other words, the entire lacrosse season. But by the time the team made the Suffolk County semifinals, Ryan had been cleared for action, and took to the field for the final two games of the season.

This year, Ryan scored 18 goals and 17 assists and was honored as an All-American in lacrosse as the Patriots made it to the county championships, where they lost to West Islip. His injury didn't stop him on the football field, either, despite playing a position where taking a big hit is nearly guaranteed. He led the team in rushing with eight touchdowns, three interceptions, and close to 700 yards in eight games, and made the All-Division team.

"After going through all my physical therapy and rehab, everything felt just as good as before, if not better," said Ryan, who will play lacrosse next year at Colgate University. "I still take precautions like stretching, but I really was not nervous."

His favorite senior year memory is indicative of his team-first attitude: the lacrosse team's April 27 game, which 15 players missed due to a suspension.

"We still came out and won against Smithtown West," Ryan said. "The team played together to come out with a victory."